Butter London: ‘Bluey’ Fall/Winter 2011 (swatches & review)

Meet ‘Bluey’, part of Butter London’s Fall/Winter 2011 lineup of new lacquers, which also includes ‘Wallis’ (previously reviewed here), as well as the limited edition ‘No More Waity, Katie’ (previously reviewed here) making a comeback. What sets this shade apart from other similarly toned hues, is its incredible complexity of colours. Interestingly enough, the term “bluey” refers to vintage British slang designating a pornographic film, yet there’s absolutely nothing remotely sleazy about this lacquer. The following swatches were done using Seche Natural Base Coat, three thin coats of lacquer, and Deborah Lippmann’s Addicted To Speed Ultra Quick-Dry Top Coat.

When I took ‘Bluey’ out for a walk in the bright sunshine, I couldn’t stop staring at the ombré effect that resulted, highlighting a more cerulean tone at the top.

A closer look reveals the ultra fine green shimmer interspersed with the blue, lending this shade a glistening iridescence.

Seen in indirect light,this shade now appears more marine in nature, with the shimmer forming a silvery glimmering halo about the nails.

Shaded light is where ‘Bluey’ truly “shines” and comes into its own, glowing intently like the eye of a peacock’s feather.

A final view taken with flash, literally reflects light like millions of tiny particles of colour from this shade, brilliantly scintillating.

Final thoughts: It’s no secret that I love teal shades, and while I was originally drawn to ‘Bluey’ for just that reason, I did not expect to be so completely “wowed”. The formula was a touch on the thin side and applied slightly sheer, hence the reason for the three thin coats, but it was also so wonderfully smooth and easy-flowing. Butter London bottles have a rectangular cap that pops off to reveal a ribbed inner cap, meant for more solid gripping, and the brush itself is neither too bushy nor too rigid, fanning out beautifully across the nail. Even though some people have found the brush wand to be a little short, I personally found that its size affords you excellent use of control. The end look is unique as well, being part foil-like and at times almost a duo chrome, and since the final finish is somewhat semi-gloss, I highly recommend a glossy top coat to enhance ‘Bluey’s’ dragonfly-like iridescence.